To understand how Republicans lost the African American vote, we must first understand how we won the African American vote.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization. I am here today as the Republican chairman to tell you we were wrong.
I think what happened during the Great Depression was that African Americans understood that Republicans championed citizenship and voting rights but they became impatient for economic emancipation.
We must never forget that Black History is American History. The achievements of African Americans have contributed to our nation's greatness.
I want everybody to understand that I am an American Negro first before I am a member of any political party.
You can't say the Negro left the Republican Party; the Negro feels he was evicted from the Republican Party.
If you are a Democrat, and you get less than 90% of the black vote, you are going to likely lose your election.
Just because a black man is running the RNC doesn't mean black folks are going to, 'Oh, OK, I will be a Republican.' Just as with the election of President Obama. All the problems and concerns that are very important to African Americans don't get solved overnight.
I am committed to ensure that our 2008 Republican presidential candidates forthrightly address issues of importance to the African-American community.
African American history is really American history because African Americans really helped build this country.
Democrats did not lose control of the Senate because African Americans did not vote. Actually, as supported by preliminary exit poll data, the complete opposite is the case. African Americans increased as a proportion of the electorate in 2014 over 2010.